Overboard Chemical Containers Spark Algae Fears in Australia

ANCHOR:
Several beaches in Australias north east are closed, after chemical containers fell off a ship off the coast near Brisbane city. The incident has marine experts worried, as they fear the chemicals may create algae that choke sea waters.
STORY:
Thirty containers carrying ammonium nitrate, a chemical used for making fertiliser and explosives have environmentalists worried, after they went overboard during a tropical cyclone.

Marine experts fear that if the missing containers leak, the spill could create algae blooms which could choke marine life in Moreton Bay near the city of Brisbane.

Three tonnes of ammonium nitrate spilt on the Pacific Adventurer's ship deck when the containers broke loose. One of the containers pierced the hull, causing a fuel leak.

[Mike Short, Environmental Protection Agency]:
"Certainly the oil is our greatest concern, both to the environment and to the wildlife generally."

Several Queensland beaches are closed, as a result of the spill.

The environmental worries come ahead of the Easter Holiday season, which could negatively impact the countrys tourism industry a view the Sunshine Coast mayor Bob Abbot challenges.

[Bob Abbot, Sunshine Coast Mayor]:
"You don't write the Sunshine Coast off just because of this. It is still a fabulous place to go, you know there is a hundred kilometres of beaches here."

The ship continues to struggle in rough seas, in the aftermath of a hazardous tropical cyclone.

Clean up efforts continue.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• australia
• chemical containers
• Brisbane
• algae
• sea
• ammonium nitrate
• environment
• pollution
• cyclone

[riderofdunes]

you are an idiot

[stickyrat]

This is a cover up!

230 tonnes of fuel oil

30 tonnes of other fuel

620 tonnes ammonium nitrate

one billion liters of toxic chemicals

Is the official report given now for the amount of the spill. Swire Shipping will be fined only $1.5 million for the disaster. Only a dozen or so workers with rakes and shovels are cleaning. They have machines that could have stopped it from washing up but they didn't bother. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT! DON'T LET the LIARS HIDE THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS!

[stedownunder]

Bloody Chinese!!!!